Dubai: Organic home-use pesticides are a safer alternative to conventional pesticides but residents have low awareness and confidence in the ?green? verities, pest control experts said.
Their comments came after a series of deaths from pesticide poisoning in UAE homes. The cases involved the illegal use of industrial-grade pesticides in residential units.
Pest control has been in the spotlight in recent weeks following the fatalities. Experts said there needs to be more awareness on the green products, adding residents should only appoint government-approved pest control companies.
However, some residents insist that more toxic pesticides be used as they have “misperceptions” about green or organic pesticides, a specialist said.
“A lot of the time, it?s about perception – and misperception. It takes a lot to change people?s mind–set. Some people say, ?the green pesticide doesn?t have a strong smell, it won?t kill the bugs quickly.? That?s not true, green pesticides are just as effective and much safer too,” said Hani Shehadeh, CEO of Ecovar Group, a UAE-based pesticide distributor.
The safety and effectiveness of green pesticides, added Shehadeh, lies in the fact that they are derived from natural sources that have been involved in pest control since records began – plants.
“These chemicals occur naturally in plants and in even some vegetables we eat. Plants have used them as a natural defence against pests. What?s more, pests don?t build up a resistance to green pesticides like they do regarding synthetic pesticides.”
Shehadeh added: “The science and technology has been around for quite some time, but it takes a huge investment to make it commercial. That really started happening only about six or seven years ago in the US, followed by Europe. Green pesticides have been in the UAE market for a couple of years; we?re one of the only leading countries in the world to have them.”
Green pesticides “pose a high toxic profile on target insects while being safe on people, pets, non-target pests and the environment in general,” he said.
These pesticides target a key neurotransmitter found in insects – Octopamine – that regulates their heart rate, movement, behaviour and metabolism. This selective targeting results in a total breakdown of the insects? central nervous system. Mammals, birds and fish do not have receptors for Octopamine, so the green pesticide has no adverse effect on them, Shehadeh added.
The green chemicals are commonly used for pests like bed bugs, cockroaches and ants. Still, many residents continue to be unaware of the green option.
Shehadeh said: “Those that tend to go with unlicensed companies are not aware of such options. Also, smaller pest control providers tend to go with conventional ways due to their resistance to try new methods. Consumers that appoint professional pest control companies are aware of the green–organic pesticides options.”
Another myth surrounding green pesticides, Shehadeh added, is that they are pricy and not regulated by authorities.
“They are approved by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water. They are not more expensive than conventional ones, they provide the same efficacy for the same cost. Consumers should ask their pest control provider to treat their property with green pesticide, that?s all they have to do,” he explained.
It costs roughly Dh300-Dh500 to treat an average two-bedroom apartment with a moderate cockroach problem with green pesticides – the same price as conventional treatments, industry sources told Gulf News.
However, Read–to–Use or Do–it–Yourself green pest control products are still not available in UAE stores, according to Shehadeh.
“At this point, there are no clear laws to administer the importation of ready–to–use organic pesticides. I hope the situation changes in the near future.”
Meanwhile, feedback from residents who opt for the green treatment remains positive, pest control providers said.
Dinesh Ramachandaran, technical manager at National Pest Control, said: “Most of our domestic and commercial clients are happy with the use of green pesticides. The benefits of green products are paramount and the only limit is the trained technicians? imagination.”
Odelon Reyes, Entomologist and Operations Manager, Pestfree Dubai, added: “We?ve been using green pesticides for around two years, they provide the least toxic alternative with compatible efficacy to conventional pesticides.
“Our clients feel much safer and have more peace of mind. They also highly appreciate the novel approach, as green pest control is less harmful to non-target organisms and the environment“.
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